In what can be categorized under ‘lucky break’, an elderly UK-based couple unearthed 14th century coins worth Rs. 14.5 lakhs, at a time when the 71-year-old husband was in chemo. The lucky individuals have been identified as 71-year-old Phil Castle and his wife, 70-year-old Joan Castle.
The couple were reportedly out and about metal detecting at a ploughed field near Kent’s New Romney. It was truly a lucky break for the couple, who have been enjoying metal detecting for the last 30 years.
Mr. Phil Castle used to work for the Woolwich Arsenal, and was brought in the world of metal detecting by his wife, who enjoyed digging for fossils and abandoned treasures near River Thames. In a Daily Mail report, Mr. Phil was quoted speaking about his recent discovery.
“We had no idea what the coins were when we found them. At the time, I was having chemo for Leukaemia so detecting was a great relief,” he was quoted saying.
Now, the coins will be put on auction. The auction will be held by famous coin, medal and banknote auctioneer called Noonans and will be conducted on May 24. Mr. Nigel Mills of Noonans was quoted saying, “The coins were recorded by Jo Ahmet, the finds liaison officer for Kent as Gold nobles of Edward III issued between 1351-61.”
The Facts of the Matter
Every day, countless treasure seekers across the world make their way to abandoned fields, farms and lands to make that one – ‘once-in-a-lifetime- discovery. While majority of them return to their homes with empty pockets, some have lady luck smile on them and come back home with some startling and sparkling discoveries.
Meet the Lucky Couple
Recently, an elderly couple in UK unearthed multiple 14th century coins which are currently worth £2,500 today (Rs. 14.5 lakhs). The lucky couple has been identified as Phil Castle and his wife Joan Castle. For 71-year-old Phil Castle, the discovery holds all the more meaning, as it came at a time when he was in a chemotherapy for his Leukaemia.
The septuagenarian couple were using a metal detector at a ploughed field near New Romney, Kent when they made the startling discovery. They unearthed five pieces of 14th century coins from Edward III reign that can now help them fetch £15,000 (Rs. 14.5 lakhs).
Husband was Under Chemo During the Discovery
It should be noted that 71-year-old Phil Castle was undergoing chemo when he and his wife were blessed by lady duck and discovered the coins. The coins were in a medieval brass purse bar, almost eight inches beneath the ground.
“We had no idea what the coins were when we found them. At the time, I was having chemo for Leukaemia so detecting was a great relief,” he was quoted saying.
How the Couple Unearthed the Treasure
When Joan was metal hunting, she received a signal from the surface and soon discovered a single broken coin. The metal detector continued giving signals and soon Mr Castle also joined the hunt and they unearthed the coins.
The coins, when put under the investigating lens, emerged to have come out of the rein of Edwart III. They are 1.3 inches in diameter and have the seal of a monarch in a ship on one side, and the Royal Cross on the other side.
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Coins Highest in Denomination, To Be Auctioned This Month
According to experts, these coins were highest denomination coins that were in circulation. They had a value of six shillings and eight pence, which may not sound a lot. But when adjusted to today’s money, it comes as a whopping $3,100.
Now the coins are going to go under the auction hammer and are expected to fetch a price of £15,000. The auction will be held by Noonans auctioneers, famous for medal, banknote, and coin auctions.
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